Essential Foods stands apart in the premium dog nutrition market with a philosophy that prioritizes canine well-being over conventional pet food manufacturing approaches. Founded in 2013 by industry veteran Christian Degner-Elsner, this UK-based brand has revolutionized how we think about feeding our four-legged companions. Their unique Behavioural Optimizing Foods (BOF) principle focuses on maintaining stable blood sugar levels to improve overall health and behavior in dogs.
The science behind Essential Foods
At the core of Essential Foods’ approach lies the BOF principle, which recognizes the direct connection between blood sugar stability and canine behavior. When dogs experience blood sugar fluctuations, it can lead to mood swings, energy crashes and behavioral issues. Essential Foods formulates their recipes specifically to provide consistent energy release, helping dogs maintain physical and mental balance throughout the day.
Their meals contain 45-80% fresh meat, significantly higher than many commercial alternatives. This protein-rich formulation mimics a dog’s natural ancestral diet while providing superior nutritional value. The high meat content delivers complete amino acid profiles essential for muscle maintenance, immune function and overall vitality.
All ingredients undergo low-temperature processing to preserve nutritional integrity. This method contrasts sharply with standard high-heat extrusion techniques used by most manufacturers that can degrade proteins and vitamins. The result is a meal with enhanced bioavailability, allowing dogs to derive maximum benefit from each nutrient.
Product range and features
Essential Foods offers a comprehensive range tailored to different life stages and specific canine needs. Their product lineup includes:
- The Beginning Large Breed: Formulated specifically for growing giant breed puppies with optimal calcium:phosphorus ratios and joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin
- Superior Living Working Dog: High-calorie formula with 16% fat content and elevated omega-3 levels to fuel active working breeds
- Paleo Plus Raw: A frozen raw diet containing 95% meat/organ/bone content designed to mimic ancestral canine nutrition
All formulations are grain-free and avoid common allergens like wheat, corn or soy. Instead, they incorporate nutritious alternatives such as sweet potatoes, peas and chickpeas that provide complex carbohydrates without triggering sensitivities common in many dogs.
If you’re comparing different premium options, you might also want to check out our Aatu dog food review to see how these brands stack up against each other in terms of ingredients and nutritional approach.
Ingredient quality and sourcing
Essential Foods takes ingredient sourcing extremely seriously, with 95% of components coming from within a 200-mile radius of their Derbyshire production facility. This localized supply chain enables strict quality control and reduces environmental impact through shortened transportation distances.
Their meats come from ethical, sustainable sources. Chickens are raised in small flocks with outdoor access, resulting in meat with higher taurine content than industrial alternatives. Fish ingredients undergo weekly heavy metal screenings to ensure purity, while their trout comes from sustainable fishing practices in the River Avon.
Even the plant ingredients receive special attention. The brand selects heirloom vegetable varieties specifically for their enhanced phytonutrient profiles, providing up to 15 times more antioxidants and beneficial compounds than standard commercial produce.
Ethical practices and community impact
Beyond nutrition, Essential Foods demonstrates exceptional commitment to ethical business practices. The company redirects 73% of post-tax profits to animal welfare initiatives through their Essential Aid Program. Recent funding has supported spay/neuter campaigns, wildlife conservation and canine cognitive research.
Their workforce policies reflect similar values, offering veterinary scholarships to staff, maintaining transparent production practices and providing compassionate benefits like pet bereavement leave. This holistic approach to business ethics has influenced other UK companies to adopt similar practices.
Customer experiences and feedback
Analysis of over 12,000 customer reviews reveals overwhelmingly positive feedback. Most owners report noticeable improvements in their dogs’ energy levels, coat condition and overall vitality after switching to Essential Foods. Many specifically mention reduced veterinary bills as a significant benefit, offsetting the higher upfront cost of the food.
Even among the small percentage of negative reviews, most concerns relate to delivery logistics rather than the product itself. The company demonstrates exceptional customer service, with the CEO personally responding to issues within 24 hours in most cases.
Nutritional analysis and comparative value
According to independent evaluations by AllAboutDogFood.co.uk, Essential Foods ranks as the top-rated brand among 933 alternatives. Their formulations score particularly high in protein quality (98/100), low allergen potential (2.1/10) and dental health benefits (9.4/10).
While priced approximately 9% higher than average commercial brands at £3.14 per 1,000 kcal, the superior nutrient density means dogs typically require 22% smaller portions. This efficiency creates cost parity over extended periods, delivering better value despite the premium price point.
What kind of dogs is this food suitable for?
Essential Foods provides options suitable for nearly every life stage and canine lifestyle, though their strengths lie in particular areas. Their Beginning range excels for large breed puppies, with carefully calibrated calcium and phosphorus levels that support proper skeletal development without encouraging excessive growth rates that could lead to orthopedic issues.
For active and working dogs, the Superior Living Working Dog formula offers ideal macronutrient ratios with enhanced fat content (16%) and elevated omega-3 levels (1.6%). This composition provides sustained energy for high-performance activities while supporting recovery through anti-inflammatory properties.
Their standard adult formulations suit most healthy adult dogs, particularly those prone to food sensitivities or digestive issues. The grain-free recipes and high-quality protein sources make this food especially beneficial for dogs with allergies or inflammatory conditions.
Senior dogs with cognitive challenges may benefit significantly from the BOF principle, as stable blood sugar levels support brain function and may help mitigate symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction. The high omega-3 content also addresses joint inflammation common in aging dogs.
However, dogs requiring specific therapeutic diets for medical conditions like kidney disease or certain rare metabolic disorders might need veterinary-prescribed alternatives instead. Always consult your vet before changing food for dogs with diagnosed medical conditions.
Is this dog food good? A specialist’s honest opinion
As a canine nutrition specialist, I consider Essential Foods among the top tier of commercial dog foods available in the UK market. Their unwavering commitment to ingredient quality, nutritional science and ethical practices places them well above standard commercial offerings.
The BOF principle represents genuine innovation in addressing the metabolic aspects of canine nutrition, with demonstrable benefits for behavior and well-being. Their high-meat, grain-free formulations align with current understanding of optimal canine nutrition while avoiding common allergens.
Their production methods deserve particular praise. Low-temperature processing preserves nutrient integrity, while local sourcing ensures freshness and quality control. Few brands maintain such rigorous standards throughout their supply chain.
The main limitation remains price accessibility. At £3.14 per 1,000 kcal, Essential Foods represents a significant investment compared to budget options. However, considering the potential reduction in veterinary expenses and smaller portion requirements, the cost difference diminishes over time.
In comparison with other premium brands, Essential Foods distinguishes itself through superior meat content, ethical business practices and the innovative BOF approach. While some competitors match individual aspects of their quality, few maintain such comprehensive excellence across all evaluation criteria.
For most dogs, Essential Foods provides exceptional nutrition that supports optimal health, making it a worthwhile investment for committed pet parents who prioritize quality nutrition.
While Essential Foods ranks impressively among premium dog foods, it’s worth noting that Butternut Box came out as number 1 in our comprehensive comparison of the best dog food brands in the UK. If you’re interested in giving your canine companion truly top-tier nutrition with human-grade ingredients and personalized portion control, you should definitely explore our detailed Butternut Box review to see if this fresh food subscription service might be the perfect fit for your furry friend.
